ENGLAND SQUASH BOUNCE BACK
The Bounce Back campaign aims to bring the squash community in England together during the COVID-19 pandemic, and will provide opportunities, guidance and resources to clubs and venues to help them re-engage the one million people who play squash in England.
SPORT ENGLAND
The Community Emergency Fund section has avenues of funding to protect clubs against the financial implications of the pandemic. At present information on the biggest support available to clubs during this unprecedented time is via Sport England: £195 million package to help sport and physical activity through coronavirus | Sport England
Government provisions:
– Retail relief increased from 50% to 100% for 2020/21, and rateable value threshold removed.
– Scope of Retail relief extended to include all retail, leisure, and hospitality businesses.
– £10,000 grant to all businesses eligible for either small business relief or retail relief (rateable value under £15,000).
LOCAL COUNCILS
Local councils should be writing to clubs to tell them they qualify for local grants and the deadline for this is 5th April.
ENGLAND SQUASH
With immediate effect, ES have put a freeze on all membership and affiliation renewals during the time that the current Government measures are in place (i.e. whilst leisure centres, gyms and sports clubs must be closed).
What does this mean for your club?
Your club and its members will continue to be affiliated throughout this period. Clubs who have paid their affiliation renewal invoice since 1st March will receive discounted affiliation fees next year, pro-rata of the number of months that squash clubs must be closed.
Clubs who are due to renew during the period of Government measures, (or have lapsed since 1st March), will be given a ‘grace period’ so will remain affiliated. Renewal invoices will not be sent during this time. Once the current measures have been lifted, clubs will be invoiced for the number of months remaining in the affiliation year.
For clubs that do not fall into these categories, we will offer a discount to their affiliation fees next year, pro-rata of the number of months that squash clubs must be closed.
Additional support opportunities for clubs include:
England Squash Bounce Back grant of £200 – A grant to support your club to host an event to welcome back your players once the UK Government restrictions are lifted.
Webinars
An opportunity to hear from us on the support on offer, share your experiences and the support you require over the coming weeks.
What does this mean for your members?
Provided your members are listed on www.englandsquash.com they will remain affiliated members of England Squash.
Members will still be able to access their membership benefits, including the great content we have on our website. A new member money-saving and well-being benefit is being launched soon, so please keep an eye out for this and encourage your members to sign up to make the most of it.
Coaches Club and Direct Members
All coaches and players who hold direct membership with England Squash will be given an extension to their membership in line with the period of the Government measures. They will be able to access their membership benefits and content throughout this time.